Chinese rocket survives lightning strike on ascent
Shortly after liftoff from Xichang, a Chinese Chang Zheng 3B/E rocket appeared to have been struck by lightning. The rocket continued its ascent and successfully completed the mission on July 23.
Friday, July 24, 2026
Chinese rocket survives lightning strike on ascent — Friday, July 24, 2026
Starship Flight 13 delayed to July 24 due to weather; Chinese CZ-3B/E rocket struck by lightning during July 23 launch but completed ascent successfully. Recent activity centers on a candidate exomoon discovery around a brown dwarf and preparations for another Starship launch, while NASA’s upcoming Roman space telescope is poised to probe fundamental cosmological questions.
Biggest developments
SpaceX delays Starship Flight 13 to July 24
Bad weather pushes SpaceX Flight 13 launch to July 24. A planned July 23 launch was delayed by weather.
Bullish takes
- SpaceX preparing rapid re‑flight of Starship after recent test, signaling accelerated cadence and operational maturity for the vehicle.
Critical takes
- Discovery of a candidate exomoon raises questions about formation mechanisms and long‑term stability of large satellites around brown dwarfs, challenging current models of satellite systems.
Why this matters
Weather and environmental factors continue to impact high-profile test flights and operational launches.